At Southwestern, diversity is more than just a number — it’s a point of pride, identity, and distinction. To meaningfully advance its strategic priorities around diversity and equity, Southwestern University seeks a Vice President for Equity, Accountability, and Inclusive Excellence. As outlined in the University’s Tactical Plan, Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging, and Equity (DIBE) is a core theme.

Reporting to President Laura Skandera Trombley and serving as a key member of the senior cabinet, the Vice President for Equity, Accountability, and Inclusive Excellence will be a transformational leader, advocate, and architect of strategies and tactics to advance DIBE at Southwestern. Situated on the northern edge of the Austin metro on 701 beautiful Central Texas acres, Southwestern is ranked the largest landowner of all private higher education institutions in Texas. As Princeton Review’s number one private university in Texas for green colleges, Southwestern cares for the land through sustainable practices, including LEED Gold-rated buildings, a campus powered by 100% renewable energy, and athletic fields nourished by recycled water. SU is signatory to the College and University Presidents Climate Commitment.

The incoming VP for Equity, Accountability, and Inclusive Excellence will deliver comprehensive, strategic, and operational leadership across the University to advance the institution’s goals with respect to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging and its connection to student success. A successful candidate will bring demonstrated knowledge, academic rigor, and experience leading DIBE strategy and efforts as well as an understanding of the mission and culture of a liberal arts university. The newly appointed VP should hold a terminal degree in an academic discipline and be an experienced leader with a proven track record of success, preferably in a higher education institution.

The Vice President for Equity, Accountability, and Inclusive Excellence provides comprehensive, strategic, and operational leadership across the University to advance the institution’s goals with respect to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging and its connection to student success. The Vice President will understand the mission and culture of a liberal arts university and possess a transformational leadership style that will motivate the community to see itself fulfilling Southwestern’s vision and the priorities of the University’s Tactical Plan. The Vice President will report to the President of the University and be a member of the senior staff. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of quantitative and qualitative data as well as the ability to facilitate data collection to inform analysis, assess programs and processes, develop goals and metrics, and drive strategy that leads to impactful outcomes and decisions. The Vice President will partner in cross-departmental education and training programs and will develop policies, procedures, and programs to create an equitable experience for all members of the campus community.

Key Outcomes

• The University will have transparent goals that will expand current efforts underway to increase recruitment and retention of students, faculty, and staff from underrepresented communities, along with measurable action plans.

• The University will expand current data sets to use theory and evidence to develop and support initiatives that enrich the experience of prospective and current undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds. The data are presented in a manner that is actionable to meet goals and objectives, and year-to-year metrics are available to demonstrate transparency.

• The University has academic, co-curricular, and social environments in which students can thrive. Qualitative measurements will be in place to track progress. Students are actively encouraged to pursue their areas of academic interest and are affirmed in doing so.

• In collaboration with academic affairs there is increased support for pedagogy in relation to diversity, Inclusion, and related topics. Students understand and appreciate the importance of their interactions with their peers as well as faculty and staff. All members of the community are valued and respected.

• Assess and audit all structures, policies, procedures, and practices for intercultural equity. Define the intercultural community. Ensure the active presence of bias response protocols and materials.

• Review progress in hiring employees to better reflect student body diversity. Measure all ranking administrators’ progress in developing and implementing changes. Research intercultural learning opportunities in the curricula and co-curricula. Integrate data to establish metrics for future progress.

• Bias incident reports will be overseen and collected for students, faculty, and staff. University Relations will maintain research and collaborate with diversity committees such as the DIBE Coalition to share best practices and create joint offerings.

• All operating units and departments, including the athletics program, operate efficiently and effectively, to create increased inclusivity and belonging.

• The University incorporates best practices to create a better understanding of historical context for bias and a culture of belonging across campus.

Reporting Structure and Work Supervision:

This position will supervise the following areas and staff and may delegate work to a student worker:

• JEDI (two staff).
• Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging, and Equity Coalition.
• Title IX.
• Chaplain and Director of Spiritual Life.
• Bias Response Team.

This position will collaborate closely with the Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness.

Requirements:

• Terminal degree in an academic discipline.
• At least five years of demonstrated academic or professional leadership experience advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion priorities within an organization that have resulted in improved outcomes in organizational practice and climate.

• Open, respectful, transparent, empathetic, and diplomatic temperament.
• At least five years of leadership and supervisory experience with success promoting collaboration, creativity, and engagement.

• Proven track record of strategic leadership of DIBE in a higher education institution or related organization across multiple functional areas.

• Success engaging a wide range of stakeholders (e.g., students, faculty, colleagues, parents, community residents, alumni, etc.) with a high degree of diplomacy to create impact.

• Experience coaching, mentoring, and developing faculty and/or staff.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to plan, establish priorities, handle multiple tasks and projects, and lead large and complex initiatives to successful completion.

• Ability to use data-driven metrics and strong analytic skills to support bold innovations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual or multilingual capacity (Spanish preferred).
• Possesses a sense of urgency as well as the ability to be flexible.

Southwestern University is an equal opportunity employer. All employees must agree to abide by the provisions of the Staff Handbook and any other guidelines, policies, procedures, and practices of the University as they may be modified. This job description is intended as a summary and, as such, may not reflect all duties and requirements. Southwestern University reserves its sole right, and obligation, to regularly review job duties and responsibilities and revise job descriptions accordingly as a normal course of business at any time and with or without input from employees. This process, in general, is not one which any employee may grieve, but is one which may include the employee’s input and is normally coordinated through the Human Resources department.

Southwestern University is committed to inclusive excellence that provides access and support, enables participation, and removes barriers so that all people within its community are empowered and can thrive in a campus that is welcoming and validating. Inclusion is the deliberate effort to create an environment in which people from all backgrounds — including but not limited to people of color (race, ethnicity, nationality) and of differing identities (sex, sexual identity, gender identity, age, physical and mental disabilities, socioeconomic status, religion, immigrants, and the intersection of these identities) — are not only included but welcomed, valued, respected, considered, and supported within its community. People from marginalized (i.e., devalued) and/or minoritized (i.e., underrepresented) groups are heard, seen, respected, and accepted in all aspects of its community.

Procedure for Candidacy:

Lindauer, a global search and talent firm, has been retained to conduct this search on behalf of Southwestern University.

Consideration of candidates will continue until the position is filled. Candidates should submit, in confidence, a resume and cover letter. Communications, nominations, applications, and inquiries concerning this search should be directed to V. Faith Montgomery, Vice President and Managing Director at fmontgomery@lindauerglobal.com or Chandra Montgomery, Senior Consultant at cmontgomery@lindauerglobal.com.

Prior to submitting your resume for this position, please read it over for accuracy. Lindauer does verify academic credentials for its candidates, and our clients frequently conduct background checks prior to finalizing an offer.

To see the complete position advertisement please visit: Lindaur at https://www.lindauerglobal.com/career-opportunity/vice-president-equity-accountability-inclusive-excellence-southwestern-university/

Southwestern University is an E-Verify employer.

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